No longer just round, BMW’s lighting signature is branching out into new more-organic shapes.

Cadillac ELR source: Ingo Rautenberg

Cadillac is the only domestic manufacturer that is really embracing the concept of identifying the brand of a vehicle in your rear-view mirror with a unique lighting signature.

Giugiaro Parcour Concept source: Daniele Madia

3-D shapes are coming. The shape of the lamp on this Giugiaro concept seems to float.

Infiniti Q50 source: AACS

Jeep Grand Cherokee source: Chrysler

Projector lamps are all the rage because they are somewhat modular and cut down on development time. But they all look the same. How long can this trend continue?

McLaren P1 source: Daniele Madia

Mercedes E-Class source: AACS

Lamps started square and round, then became oblong and oval in shape as they wrapped around the corners of the vehicle. Nowadays a lamp can have just about any shape you can imagine, including the boomerang shape that many Infinities are sporting these days.

Nissan Resonance Concept source: AACS

Porsche Boxster source: AACS

The final trend we are seeing these days is an increased integration between the headlamp and the grille. The 3-Series ties the grille into the headlamp in an awkward way, but many other vehicles have significantly more sophisticated executions, like the Ford Flex and Honda CR-V.

BMW 3-Series source: Daniele Madia

Ford Flex source: Motor Trend

Honda CR-V source: Honda

In the end, some manufacturers are still taking the simple path – which is really an opportunity wasted.

Spyker C8 Aileron source: Spyker

Later this week we will be back with a report from Autorama and check out the winners from the Steel Wheel Design Competition. And the first correct person to identify this last vehicle gets a special prize.

Mystery vehicle source: Daniele Madia

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About Frank Schwartz

Frank Schwartz is the founder of CarFriend.me and Advanced Automotive Consulting Services, partner in The Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment and serial entrepeneur. A long time automotive enthusiast, Frank started reading car magazines at the age of 8 and has spent 30+ years working inside the automotive industry. In his spare time Frank races with the Sports Car Club of America, spends time working on his numerous project cars and supports many local charities.